BYNG, JOHN, 1ST EARL OF STRAFFORD, fourth son of George Byng (adm. 1742/3, qv); b. 1772; adm. 20 Sep 1786; Ensign, 33rd Foot, 30 Sep 1793; Lieut., 1 Dec 1793; Capt., 24 May 1794; Maj., 60th Foot, 28 Dec 1799; Lieut. -Col., 29th Foot, 14 Mar 1800; Capt. and Lieut. -Col., 3rd Foot Guards, 4 Aug 1804; Col. in the Army 25 Jul 1810; Brig. -Gen. in Sep 1811; Maj. -Gen., 4 Jun 1813; Col., 2nd West India Regt., 26 Jul 1822 – Jan 1828; Lieut. -Gen., 27 May 1825; Col., 29th Foot, 23 Jan 1828 – Aug 1850; Gen., 23 Nov 1841; Col., 2nd Foot Guards, from 15 Aug 1850; Field-Marshal, 2 Oct 1855; served in Flanders 1793-5, Ireland 1798, on the Copenhagen expedition 1807, the Walcheren expedition 1809, the Peninsular War, and at Waterloo, where he commanded the 2nd Brigade, 1st Guards Division; twice received thanks for his services from both Houses of Parliament; KCB 12 Apr 1815; GCH 1826; Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, 1828-31; PC (I) 15 Jul 1828; GCB 20 Jul 1831; MP (Whig) Poole 1831 - May 1835; created Baron Strafford 12 May 1835; acted as Whig whip in House of Lords c. 1835 - Nov 1850; created Earl of Strafford 18 Sep 1847; m. 1st, 14 Jun 1804 Mary Stevens, eldest dau. of Peter Mackenzie, Grove House, Twickenham, Middlesex; m. 2nd, 9 May 1808 Mary Anne, second dau. of Sir Walter James, Bart.; d. 3 Jun 1860. DNB.